Obama oil tap a 'political manoeuvre'

Obama oil tap a 'political manoeuvre'

The United States and 27 other countries are stepping in a bid to lower petrol prices, with the crisis in Libya disrupting the world's oil supply.

As the US heads into summer driving season, Barack Obama, the US president, has decided to tap into the nation's strategic reserves, selling the largest amount in its history - 30m barrels - an amount matched by other countries.

But his critics believe it is because of political manoeuvring, not an economic emergency.

Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane reports from Washington.